Diehard PBH fans, just booked RPH...eek! (UPDATED)

[MaryAnnDVC]

I e-mailed DH at work with the shocking information, and haven't heard back yet.

I know no one has stayed there yet, but will be be disappointed with the RPH?? I have gotten some info from searches, but feel *lost*...we've stayed at PBH twice, and are so comfortable with how it all "works" and we LOVE it there.

How close is RPH to the parks? I know the rooms are smaller...I was told about 50 sq ft smaller than PBH? Anything else I should know? Esp the good stuff to make me feel I made the right decision?

Oh...the rate I got (November) is $109, pool view, for each of 3 nights (entertainment rate). Portofino was $170 for BayView, $150 garden. (That would be fine, if we weren't going to be happy at RPH.) Club level and suites were not available for our dates.

Just heard back from DH...well, isn't HE a big help.

Hi hon, yes it is a busy day, but not too busy to ignore vacation! I think the RPH is OK, especially if the rates are lower for the opening year, I guess we should at least try it. But then again, I REALLY like the Portofino too. I don't think the smaller RPH room sized matters too much. But I REALLY do like the Portofino.

 

[antmaril]

I am having the same problem. I have PB booked over Labor Day weekend. We haven't stayed here yet, but it looked great when we were at HRH last year. Now, I'm wondering if I should book RP instead - it is considerably cheaper. We have Entertainment Rate at PB Deluxe Poolview for $180. I can get a Poolview at RP for $109. It is a pretty big difference, but I'm afraid I'll be disappointed.

I'll be curious to see what you decide. I know, I've been no help at all!!

 

[tazdeb]

Remember the first time you had resssies at PBH? Remember the worries? Wondering if it was going to be worth it? Was the location close, rooms big, pool cool? It's the same now with RPH. I love the suspense ,cant wait till Aug when we go, I'm sure it's going to be all good.......TAZ

 

[CPM]

Well, I'll let you all know!!
I am a true PBH fan!! But will be checking in at RP on the 22nd! It really looks nice & it's very close to IOA, so I'm not worried. I just couldn't pass on the great rates, I can do a lot with an extra $80.00 a night which was the difference quoted for PBH.

 

[Muushka]

I'm a firm believer in trying ALL resorts

Espcially those with REALLY GOOD rates!

 

[Muushka]

I'm a firm believer in trying ALL resorts

Especially those with REALLY GOOD rates!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Well, we've all been moaning and complaining about not staying at the Portofino, while at the same time trying to tell ourselves that we'll love the Royal Pacific. So today, after looking at tons of pictures of the Portofino last night and reading the thread about the pizza at Sal's deli and reminiscing about our previous stays, and after e-mailing back and forth with DH at work, I changed our reservations from Royal Pacific to Portofino. I got a Bay View Entertainment rate of $170, vs the $109 Pool View rate we had with the Royal Pacific.

It's not so much that we think we WON'T like Royal Pacific...but we go to Orlando once a year, and we so look forward to staying at the Portofino. According to DH's last e-mail

Book the Portofino. We'll go visit the RPH, (maybe!)

Yes, we'll visit it, cuz I said so; he's not quite into checking out other resorts like I am.

 

[Cris]

thanks for the update!! I think you made a good decision, go for what ya like.

 

[RobinLyn]

If you had RPR booked for 3 nights, club level, $139 a night end of August, would you consider switching? I have never been to US/IOA and we were going to book Portofino Bay but I got a good rate at RPR back in January. Would it be better to switch?

RobinLyn

 

[Debbie7452]

Robinlyn,

NO! NO! NO! Do not switch. Did you read the thread about all the wonderful treatment offered at the club level? It's the one titled "Anyone back from RPH club yet?" You will be pampered and spoiled. The rooms are beautiful, the staff is marvelous and the club food is great. You even get free wine and beer (5-7). This is the first club level I've been on that offered that.

Have a great trip.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

RobinLyn, I agree with Debbie. With a rate like that, and not having a hang-up like we do about staying at a certain hotel, I'd definitely stay with what you've got. Part of the reason we like Portofino so much is that we've talked for years about going to Italy (and I'm Italian ) and God only knows when we'll actually get there! I also have a real fondness for Sal's Deli...my dad's name was Sal.

So...JMHO...I think you've got a great deal, and in YOUR situation, I wouldn't change a thing! I'll be looking for your report when you get back! After all...we'll be heading back to Orlando next year.

 

[RobinLyn]

"Thank You" Debbie and MaryAnn! I guess I will keep Club level at RPR. I just loved the pictures of Portifino and wanted to stay there this summer. When I called and asked about prices at both places, the fan club rate for Royal Pacific club rooms was just to good to be true, so I jumped on it. Portofino club level was, I think, at least double the rate for RPR. I know it probably won't be as nice as the Poly in WDW, but it's nowhere near as expensive either, lol. Thanks again for your reassurance and I will be sure to post after our trip. After all, front of the line makes any of the onsite resorts a great deal to me!!

RobinLyn

 

[pixie dust gal!]

Maryann,

Like CPM, I loooooove PBH! Better than HRH! We have stayed there three times. This will be our second trip to HRH (we leave on Tuesday). The only reason we are staying at HRH is because my kids like it better - more kids around the hotel and pool area (more hustle and bustle). DH was disappointed that we weren't staying at PBH (he wasn't at HRH last year with us and the kids talked him into it again), but said it was ok "this time". PBH has it all over HRH - staff especially. While HRH's staff runs hot and cold, PBH is always extraordinary! The music is lovely, the piazza with a glass wine is heavenly -the whole ambiance is to my liking. We were there for 5 nights, the resort was sold out, and I promise you there might have been 50 people at the pool each day!!!!!!! So, we will probably use their pool several times, eat at Sal's and already have made plans to dine at La Trat and Mama's while there. I agree w/ you 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is the BEST.

I would not cancel the club floor at RPH - so much to offer at a great price! If all things were considered equal, I would say stay at PBH, but a club floor and all the benefits can go a long way.

Enjoy your trip!!!!!!!!!!!